To Coney, with Love

Coney Island was the finest amusement park of its day, not only in the minds of its patrons but in the esteem of its peers. A visit by Walt Disney in 1953 seeking advice on his new dream, Disneyland, confirmed the park’s stature. To Coney, With Love will fill your heart with memories from grandparents who rode the Island Queen to dance the night away at the nationally acclaimed Moonlite Gardens, or the young Aquanaut swim team kids who spent numerous days in Coney’s pool in the early morning hours. You will read the stories from married couples who met while working their first jobs at the park and have created future generations of Coney Island memory-makers and stories about the rides that made for thrilling moments while creating memorable experiences. Many felt such a deep connection to Coney Island that they spread their loved one’s ashes there, much like Rob Lowe did with his dad’s. During the winter of 2024, the shocking news of the park’s closing was announced. It was then that a friendship was kindled between Rob Lowe and Katy Mark. Their lives were connected in search of a Coney plaque that was missing and they quickly realized there was synergy between the two of them. Rob Lowe, whose dad was Bob Lowe, “Captain of the Guards” at Coney Island’s Sunlite Pool for 50 years, grew up at the park creating day-to-day memories that turned into a lifetime of love for the park. Katy was one of the “full-timers” as the Coney kids called the few that worked year-round as most employees were seasonal. She was there the day the city came out to enjoy the amusement park rides for the last time in 2019 and also experienced the loss the day she found out that Coney would be closing its doors forever. Together, each with unique perspectives, Katy and Rob set out hoping to bring a grieving city together and allow Coney’s loved ones, the opportunity to keep their memories alive, each with their unique points of view as to how the park affected their lives.